Explore Bentonville by Bike: A Leisurely Loop Curated for Visitors

Morgan Johnson, Community Development Manager, on her trusty Gnargo bicycle "Big Bev"

At Visit Bentonville, we don’t just promote the Mountain Bike Capital of the World; we live it every day. Our team members commute by bike, run errands on two wheels, and spend countless hours exploring the singletrack that makes Bentonville famous.

Morgan Johnson, our Community Development Manager, grew up right here in Bentonville and continues to experience the city through the lens of a rider. With her Gnargo Looploader, affectionately named “Big Bev,”  a cargo e-bike designed and built in Bentonville to carry gear and even passengers on its oversized front rack, she recently introduced visitors to one of her favorite city routes.

Come Along for the Ride

Morgan designed this 11-mile loop with leisure in mind.

"[There are] plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, coffee, and food stops. If this route starts to feel a little long, I would cut out the stop at Osage Park!”  Morgan shared.

Hop on your bicycle and head through the Momentary campus on the bicycle trail. Taking a left on 5th Street will lead you to The Meteor Cafe. 

"They have a great patio, pizza, coffee, wine, and beer!” Morgan said, pointing out our office is right across the street. "Please stop in and say hi and grab some of our visitor's guides!”

After fueling up at The Meteor, follow the map to Bentonville’s historic Downtown Square. There, you’ll find plenty of shops for picking up a souvenir. From the Square, the route continues past Heartland Whole Health Institute, a striking new building designed by Marlon Blackwell Architects. The first floor is open to the public and features a cafe and free gallery space. The path Morgan built will take you by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a must-see in Bentonville, but remember it’s closed on Tuesdays.

After Crystal Bridges, ride along through Compton Gardens to Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. You will be riding on a designated bicycle path that is connected to the roadways; however, no need to worry. Drivers here are used to seeing cyclists  - Bentonville roads are bike-friendly.

"There is a paved path that bisects the mountain bike trails; I bike here all the time on my e-bike. Airship Coffee has a location there with lovely outside seating if you are feeling snacky in the middle of your ride,” suggests Morgan. Further wandering includes a ride over to Osage Park for nature and more snacks. “If you are able to make it [over here] before 3 pm, Louise at Thaden Field has a great menu. If not, there are awesome food trucks that are usually posted up at Osage's parking lot.”

Osage Park is just outside of Legends Air Center at Thaden Field VBT, where you can watch small planes take off and land. Explore the wetlands along elevated boardwalks and look for songbirds, herons, and beavers. After your nature stop, cycle back toward 8th Street Market.

Once you’ve made it back to the market, stop in Yeyo’s for dinner. This recently renovated restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Rafael Rios, a James Beard-nominated chef. They have a lovely patio to watch the sunset from. Take a peek at the huge, 11,000-square-foot mural Context Shift created by artist Carlos Rosales-Silva. Just another example of the beautiful art ingrained in our city's DNA.

 "This is only a handful of the wonderful attractions and restaurants that Bentonville has to offer,” Morgan concludes. “We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful city!”

Morgan Johnson is the Community Development Manager at Visit Bentonville. Working in the hospitality industry since age 16, Morgan brings a wealth of experience in guest engagement and storytelling. She has also worked as a writer and copyeditor for a variety of clients. A proud Bentonville resident for over 20 years, Morgan is often found laughing on the patio of your favorite local restaurant, sharing her love for the community one conversation at a time.

Email: morgan@visitbentonville.com